The information below is intended to assist you as you consider your travel options with Explore. In addition to the detailed itinerary each tour has been supported with some useful information to provide you with an overview of your accommodation & meals, all things money, passports, visas, vaccinations, insurance, clothing, personal equipment and much more to help you with your travel preparations.

Atacama To Paine + Easter Island Extension

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Atacama To Paine and Easter Island Extension tour available at present.

You will need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the tour price, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and
items of a personal nature such as laundry.

Food

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide.Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Chile

Lunch £:
13.00

Dinner £:
20.00

Drink

The prices for drinks can vary greatly depending upon location and the prices detailed below are an average guide. In general you would expect that drinks purchased in a supermarket or local bar to be less expensive, whilst drinks in an upmarket bar or restaurant may be more expensive.

Chile

Bottle of Beer £:
1.75

Water £:
1.30

Tipping - Tour Leader

Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you
receive.

Tipping - Local Crew

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided.Accordingly, you should allow US$ 50 for tipping.

In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Foreign Exchange

Chile

ATM Availability:
Available in Major towns. Always have some cash as back-up as they are not always reliable

Credit Card Acceptance:
Credit cards are useful and can be used in many places, but may be subject to a service charge.

Travellers Cheques:
Travellers' Cheques can be awkward or expensive to change

Local Currency:
Peso.

Recommended Currency for Exchange:
Carry all your funds in US cash NOT Sterling or Travellers Cheques which are more difficult to exchange.
We recommend to take a minimum of US$400-$500 of your total spending money in cash for your tour, in mixed denominations. Notes should be in good condition otherwise they might be difficult to exchange.

Visa Information

Chile: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens.

Please note all passengers arriving with passports from Australia, Canada or USA will have to pay a reciprocity tax before getting into the migration area. The amount to be paid for each passport holder is as follows: Australia $95, Canada $132

Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

Easter Island: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens.

Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

USA (If flights transit): According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.

Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/ onward ticket. The passport requirements are that it must be machine readable, and must contain a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.

All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home.

When completing an application for transit you should enter the words 'In Transit' with your final destination location in the address line. Anyone applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).

For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).

For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk

Vaccinations & Protection

Chile

Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A.
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Climate

Chile

The best time to visit is spring (Sept-Nov) and autumn (March- April). Between June and September the heat in the northern part of the country is less intense. Remember rain can fall at any time of the year and the weather is changeable in the mountains. Easter Island has a tropical climate so is likely to be quite hot and humid. It can also rain there in the evenings and become chilly.

Trekking Details

All walks on this tour are optional and there are easier walks available than the moderate to challenging graded walks listed.

Equipment

Binoculars, torch, water bottle, insect repellent, suncream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lip salve with sun protection and walking poles (if you use them). For Easter Island also a sunhat, beach towel and swimming costume.

Footwear

Comfortable walking boots/shoes or trainers and sandals.

Clothing

Bear in mind that several different climatic zones will be experienced. Lightweight clothing is necessary for mostly warm and humid daytime conditions, though evenings can be cooler. A warm sweater or fleece and a good waterproof jacket will be needed for the colder weather and winds in the far south. It can get extremely cold in the Atacama Desert so bring some warm layers and hat, scarf and gloves.

Luggage: On Tour

One main piece of luggage and a daypack.Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – don’t overload yourself. You can leave a bag at the hotel in Santiago when you go on the Easter Island Extension if you wish.